– by Cameron Wall –
Kia’s New 2015 Soul Electric is funky. Can we call it SuperFly? Probably. It’s not boring or usual. The auto marketplace is filled with new electric vehicles, all competing for your business, Korea’s Kia is no different.
I was able to drive this little gem for a couple of days, starting with only 275 kms on the clock. As a driver accustomed to electric vehicles (E.V.s), I really got a feeling for the SOUL EV. You can’t get a feel for an E.V. if you don’t put it through its paces, so I drove with more gusto than I shake my grandmother’s hand with, but with respect. Quoting my significant other – a tough sell on any electric – “The vehicle performed marvellously.”
Whether in Victoria, Langford, or Sidney, people stared at the vivid colours. Reminding me of a white sky up-top, and a Caribbean ocean blue body, a BOLD EV badge, and wheels that resemble your in-laws’ dinner plates: I’ll emphasize people stared. It’s 100 percent electric and it’s fun, funky, and futuristic, with a truly modern twist on the interior. You’ll find totally unique grey cloth seating surfaces accented by blue stitching, heated seats and steering wheel, piano white plastic décor, easy-to-read navigation, Bluetooth for your endless supply of calling and media streaming, and easy to use climate control.
The car keeps tabs on your driving habits and displays your range and E.V. info on the large, colour infotainment screen. This will ease your range anxiety. Compared against the staple, Nissan LEAF electric, Soul offers a taller ride height paired with a larger view of the road, and with that comes a sense of safety. Trying to guess where the end of your hood is can be a pain in parking situations, however the back-up camera earned its keep in the parking lots.
KIA offers a few electric range-conserving driving modes, ECO and Brake mode. ECO mode numbs the accelerator pedal, making it easier to hold road speeds with fewer fluctuations in your acceleration. ECO mode also engages a sliver of regenerative braking resistance when you let off the accelerator. This is your “Anti-Sport Mode”. Brake mode on the other hand is exactly like its sounds, foot on the accelerator everything works normally, as soon as you let off the accelerator it’s like KIA reached out and put their foot on the brake pedal for you, but gently. One pedal driving? Not quite, but used properly on a steep hill, or approaching a stop on the highways here on the peninsula, brake mode is a relaxing way to kick back and watch your KIA come to a slow stop.
The passenger compartment is not huge, but is ample for four adults and a small person in the middle. Split folding back seats make room for your shopping adventures and allow for some interior flexibility. The onboard charger is a BIG 7.2kw/h, bigger than many E.V.s, and you can charge at home on 110v in a pinch.
With a lower cost of maintenance compared to even the most frugal and fuel efficient vehicles, the SOUL EV won’t trash your wallet’s relationship with your service center. No transmission, no exhaust, and no engine … what could go wrong? I would be lying if I said these vehicles were perfect but I’d invite you to ask any current E.V. owner how they feel about their vehicle. It usually encompasses a great big smile and generates a dialogue as though that driver is a sales rep for the product. E.V. owners are fanatic about their rides, and they should be for very good reasons.
A big thanks to Graham Kia for the demo. For more info, call 250.655.3534, and we will get you on the road in an E.V.
